Yahara Lakes 101

press release: Rake for Our Lakes: The Importance of Urban Leaf Management

Join us for Yahara Lakes 101 to learn about the issues that impact our lakes!

Trees benefit cities by providing shade, purifying the air, absorbing rain water and creating natural habitats in our urban environments. However, each fall leaves create a phosphorus rich layer on the ground that is a major source of nutrient pollution to our lakes. The City of Madison and the United States Geologic Survey have been conducting a research project for the last 5 years in an attempt to quantify impacts of leaf management on water quality. This talk will cover results to date and describe how YOU can reduce leaf impact on the lakes.

About our Speaker: Phil Gaebler is a water resources engineer for the City of Madison. He focuses primarily on ways to reduce the impact of stormwater on the lakes and streams near the City of Madison. This includes designing green infrastructure, detention basins, and innovative treatment technologies. In his role at the City, he also works on public outreach for many projects and is always looking for ways to effectively share how citizen actions can impact water quality.

Yahara Lakes 101 is a series of educational events open to the public and a great chance for residents to learn more about the science behind the issues that affect our lakes. Each month we feature a different expert to make the science accessible and interesting to non-technical audiences. Yahara Lakes 101 is produced in partnership with the UW-Madison Nelson Institute for Environmental Studies, with hosting sponsor The Edgewater, presenting sponsor First Weber Group, supporting sponsor The Evjue Foundation, and media sponsor Isthmus.

Yahara 101 is held both indoors and outdoors (weather permitting) at The Edgewater. Come at 7:30 a.m. for a meet-and-greet and to enjoy your coffee, pastries, and fruit. The program begins at 8 a.m., and class is dismissed by 9 a.m.

If you already are a Friend of Clean Lakes (minimum $35 donation/year), then admission is free. Become a Friend today. If you are not a Friend yet, admission is $10 per event. Registration for each event is requested for all attendees. Special event parking will be available at The Edgewater.